5 Free Things to do in Paris

September 26, 2016

Paris
has a bit of a reputation as one of the world’s most expensive destinations,
and it’s certainly not difficult to blow your holiday budget on all the
fantastic food, cultural experiences and tours that you can take around the
city. Fine dining and luxury hotels aside, Paris is a goldmine of activities
that can be enjoyed for free.

Having
grown up in Paris, I know about many of the city’s hidden gems and secret places
where you can enjoy an afternoon without having to worry about your budget. Hopefully
my list of free things to do in Paris will help you to explore the city like a
local, and fall for its many charms.

Free first Sundays

Many
of Paris’ museums and galleries, such as the Musée d'Art Moderne, are free entry to
see the permanent collections, and while many of its more famous institutions
do charge a fee for entry, they also take part in ‘free first Sundays’. This
means that on the first Sunday of every month, some museums are free entry,
such as the Musée
d'Orsay and the Centre Pompidou.
From October to March, The Louvre also
takes part in free first Sundays, and if you’re under 26 you can visit for free
on Friday evenings, while under 18s visit for free year-round.

Stroll along the Seine

One
of my favourite evening activities to do when in Paris is a stroll along the
Seine River. While it’s possible to enjoy a boat tour along the river, it’s
free to explore on foot and you’ll pass beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower and
Notre Dame Cathedral. The river passes through the centre of Paris, so there’s
no better way to explore some of the city’s best sites. It’s dotted with quays
and bridges, making an evening walk especially pretty.

Visit the Sacré-Cœur

One
of the best views of the city can be found by visiting the Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
Free to enter, it’s open every day from 6am until 10pm, and sits atop the hill
of Montmartre in Paris’ 18th arrondissement. Inside you’ll find
stunning mosaic ceilings including a 475 square-foot Mosaic of Christ, a vast
chapel, grand pipe organ and eerily beautiful crypt. Built in a Romano-Byzantine
style, it was apparently inspired by such places as Venice’s San Marco.

Meet the locals at Marché
de Belleville

If
you’re looking to head a little off the beaten path, travel to Paris’
Belleville neighbourhood. You can enjoy wonderful city views from the Parc de
Belleville, and on Tuesdays and Fridays between 7am and 2:30pm, you’ll find the
Marché de Belleville. Selling quality fresh groceries, the market started in
1858 and has been held along the boulevard de Belleville since 1860. It’s
really fun to explore the market and meet the locals, and it’s a great place to
try your hand at a little French!

Discover history at Arènes
de Lutèce

One
of the most important historical sites in Paris, the Arènes de Lutèce is a
wonderful hidden gem, away from the hustle and bustle of the main road. Tucked
away in the city’s 5th arrondissement, the site was once a bullring
and arena, built between the 1st and 2nd centuries. Once
capable of holding around 15,000 people, the arena was around 100 metres wide. I
love visiting this part of the city in the summer, when you’ll see locals
playing pétanque and enjoying the sunshine.

You may also like

About the author

I'm French, so I'm a big fan of French culture, tradition and cooking, so always look forward to visiting France. My family and I tend to visit my family in northern France twice a month, so we're always there. I'm looking forward to sharing some of my family's holiday stories as we travel throughout France and the rest of Europe.